All Over the Map

Events in and around Wisconsin

The Columbus Horse and Carriage Festival is an opportunity to see carriages of various styles in competition. That and the festival’s other activities are free. Credit: Courtesy Kim Kuhlman Photography

Sturgeon Bay: Steel Bridge Songfest 2013. Music acts as a bridge between people. But in this case, it's music that worked on a bridge. This festival began in the mid-1990s to raise money to save Sturgeon Bay's Michigan Street Bridge. That done, it continues for fun. This year's festival runs from Thursday through next Sunday and features about 150 musicians from near and far, including Jackson Browne. It will take place at more than a dozen venues with free trolleys to get fans from one to the others. Thursday's performances are free; a weekend pass for the other performances can be bought online for $25.

Washington Island: Washington Island Canoe & Kayak Event. Paddlers tantalized by the idea of circumnavigating Washington Island or crossing Death's Door will want to be pulling into Detroit Harbor (via the ferry) before Friday when this paddling event begins. It runs through next Sunday and features those two paddling possibilities and others including a half-marathon race, eco-tours, kayak symposium and expedition to Rock Island. The cost varies depending on which event or events paddlers wish to take part in and whether they bring their own boats.

Columbus: Columbus Horse and Carriage Festival. If your preferred mode of transportation clomps rather than glides, spend Saturday and next Sunday in Columbus checking out the horse and carriage driving competitions. They take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. next Sunday. Other activities throughout the weekend include carriage parades, a fashion show, a performance by the 1st Brigade Band and a dance. The competitions take place in Fireman's Park, 1015 Park Ave.; the other events take place at various locations in town. It's free.

Juneau: Watertown Agri-Business Breakfast on the Farm. A hearty breakfast such as those served on the farm will fuel you through a day of chores. See for yourself with a visit Saturday or next Sunday to the 100-year-old Steve and Craig Schmidt Farm, N3456 Highway E, for an all-you-can-eat breakfast put on by the Watertown Agri-Business Club. Breakfast will be served from 6 a.m. to noon Saturday and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. next Sunday. The cost is $7 for adults, $4 for children ages 6-10 and free for younger visitors. There will also be a petting zoo, raffles and wagon rides. The breakfast is one of a number of events scheduled for next weekend as part of the Dairy Days of Summer, a statewide celebration of dairy month.

Chippewa Falls: 10th Annual Leinie Lodge Family Reunion. Consider yourself part of the family Saturday and celebrate with the rest of the Leinie-loving crew at the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co., 124 E. Elm St. There will be food, music and dancing, contests, tours and beverages. And it's all free. The party will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Illinois: Progressive Insurance Chicago In-Water Boat Show. Stroll the piers at the 31st St. Harbor, 3155 S. Lake Shore Drive, Thursday through next Sunday and pick out your new ride. Hundreds of boats, from inflatables to yachts, will be on display. There will also be sailing classes, banana boat rides, stand-up paddleboard yoga and flyboard demonstrations (think jet pack attached to a jet ski). The hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. next Sunday. Tickets are $10 for everyone over the age of 16 and free for younger waterbugs.

Michigan: 2013 CheeseTown Festival. There's everything cheesy about this festival held Thursday through Saturday in Doc Letchfield Park, Highway 13 and Townline Road, Pinconning. The festival features a cheesy parade, the ultimate mac and cheese dinner contest, the 30th annual CheeseTown challenge races, live music and more.

Minnesota: Gammel Dag Fest. Peterson shows its Norwegian roots Friday through next Sunday at this festival, which translates as "Good Old Days." Among the "good" things to check out is the pork chop lunch, the Amish buggy rides, Norwegian folk music, artist demonstrations and the bean bag tournament, which is new this year.

Please send notice of events three weeks in advance to: All Over the Map, Travel Section, P.O. Box 371, Milwaukee, WI 53201 or to jsfeat@journalsentinel.com, with All Over the Map as the subject.